Basil & Dahlia: A Tragical Tale of Sinister Sweetness
by Joy McCullough; illus. by Shane Cluskey
Intermediate    Atheneum    288 pp.
5/24    9781665944236    $17.99
e-book ed.  9781665944250    $10.99

After their parents’ tragic (and explosive) demise, Basil and Dahlia Bloom sit on a train barreling toward Philadelphia with their social worker, Mrs. Hassenblasset, who warns of their imminent separation. Distraught, the two leap from the moving train and begin a grueling quest to land themselves anywhere but apart from each other. Their wanderings ultimately take them to New York City, bruised, beaten, and hungry. Lured by the smells of a bakery, the children are caught dumpster-diving by celebrity chef Laurel Fox. She whisks them away to her luxurious apartment, seemingly transforming their lives in the blink of an eye. But despite their new wardrobes, the endless library, and the home-cooked meals, Dahlia and Basil sense something sinister behind Fox’s keen interest in their tears. Black-and-white illustrations pepper the narrative with sharp corners and ominous shadows as the children attempt to escape one trap after another. The tone is largely due to its self-proclaimed-Dickensian narrator, who breaks the fourth wall often with wry asides, humorous advice, and anachronistic references, even making assertions about what’s appropriate in a book for children. With a decidedly Lemony Snicket flavor and hints of Lowry’s The Willoughbys (rev. 3/08), McCullough’s variation on “Hansel and Gretel” satisfies the need for a fright but also deftly touches on the reality of grief, guilt, and the powerful bond between siblings.

From the July/August 2024 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.